Rescue dogs, cats big winners at casino night
Rescue dogs and cats hit the jackpot, with a little help from animal lovers, at the third annual Humane Animal Partners Save ‘Em by the Sea Casino Night.
HAP’s annual fundraiser was held Sept. 26 at Baywood Greens in Long Neck.
The money at the blackjack and roulette tables may have been fake, but the donations to HAP’s animal welfare initiatives in Sussex County were real and desperately needed.
“Our biggest need is [funding] for free wellness and vaccine clinics in rural Sussex,” said Leigh McKinley, HAP’s Sussex director. “We were getting a grant from PetSmart Charities, but that expires at the end of the year. We want to continue that much-needed work, but it costs $3,000 per event.”
McKinley said those clinics served 1,200 animals this year.
She said HAP’s new mobile veterinary clinic is now on the road and already helping the community. The van was paid for by a community impact fund grant.
McKinley said the van’s first event was held Sept. 23.
“Our vet and medical teams came down from Wilmington and we did 32 cats, spays and neuters, in one day. That’s reducing the feral cat population by 100, if not more, in a year,” McKinley said.
Casino night was a chance for people to connect with HAP, learn about its services and how to volunteer.
“People came in tonight who haven’t been to any of our events yet. They’ve all moved here from somewhere and they love it here and they love animals,” said Patrick Carroll, HAP CEO.
“They didn’t have to twist my arm,” said Karl Bauer, an aspiring HAP volunteer. “They’re located near my home and I said, ‘Yes, I’d love to come in and walk dogs.’”
This year, casino night featured a live auction, hosted by Tom Protack.
There were gift baskets from local sponsors and puppy paintings, art created by HAP alumni dogs, that walked across canvas with paint on their paws.
People were also able to bid on “fund-a-need” items.
John and Beth Peoples of Hockessin donated $3,000 for a single-day wellness clinic for 200 animals.
“We’re very much animal welfare advocates and support spay and neuter initiatives,” said Beth.
Casino night also featured a silent auction with luxury vacations provided by the American Fundraising Foundation.
Jimmy Brewster, a casino night favorite, belted out Frank Sinatra tunes and more.
HAP’s Sussex County Adoption Center is located in the Midway Shopping Center near Rehoboth Beach. The center can accommodate 13 dogs and 15 cats at one time.
For more information, to donate or learn how to volunteer, go to humaneanimalparters.org.
